Revealed: The ‘anonymous’ Manchester City player who donated €5,000 to a Kevin De Bruyne tribute banner | OneFootball

The identity of an originally ‘anonymous donor’ to a fan-organised Kevin De Bruyne tribute unveiled at Wembley Stadium over the weekend has now been revealed.

The Belgian playmaker is now approaching his final few days as a Manchester City player, with just two matches remaining on his competitive fixture list with the club as they hope to finish in a top-five position within the Premier League table.

Such a finish would ensure Manchester City’s place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, in what is a non-negotiable for the club’s hierarchy particularly from a financial perspective and for the calibre of player they hope to attract during the summer transfer window.

Kevin De Bruyne has previously indicated his firm determination to ensure such a finish is secured for the club despite his pending departure from the Etihad Stadium after spending the last 10 years in sky blue and white.

And as the 33-year-old’s career with the club comes to a close, Manchester City fans have been paying the ultimate tribute to arguably their greatest-ever player, with the latest showing of affection coming at Wembley Stadium.

As revealed by the Manchester Evening News, Erling Haaland was the ‘mystery donor’ that helped City fans raise almost £12,000 in a single day with a mammoth offering of his own for displays to honour Kevin De Bruyne prior to the FA Cup Final.

A statement from The 1894 Group said upon organising the display for arguably the club’s greatest-ever player, “There are no guarantees that Kevin [De Bruyne] will start or play [in the FA Cup Final] however such was the strength of feeling from fans and the immediate commitment to fund this display that we are going ahead with it. Thanks to all Blues who made this happen.”

The fundraising campaign featured an initial £5,000 target, which was smashed with 360 donations from City supporters, while Erling Haaland gave €5,000 of his own money anonymously to ensure the target was reached and give De Bruyne the best-possible send-off.

A pitch-wide banner was unveiled in the bottom tier of Manchester City’s supporter section before kick-off against Crystal Palace with messaging aimed at the Belgian reading, “Maybe you’re the same as me, we won the lot with KDB.”

Accompanying the message inspired by lyrics in Oasis’ ‘Live Forever’ was a large artwork featuring Kevin De Bruyne’s face and a pack of cards fanning with all of the trophies he has won as a Manchester City player over the last 10 years.

Tuesday night will see De Bruyne play out his final match for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and the club are due to announce a number of events that will be taking place around the game celebrating his remarkable service to the organisation.